On May 10, 2016 the Seattle Human Rights Commission (the Commission) sent a letter to City of Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and Councilmembers to condemn the derogatory gender-based comments and threats of violence toward Seattle City Councilmembers Bagshaw, Gonzalez, Herbold, Juarez, and Sawant that occurred after the May 2, 2016 City Council vote regarding the Occidental Avenue South street vacation.
The letter cites Article 3 of the UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women,
Women are entitled to the equal enjoyment and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field.”
The letter states that “female members of the Seattle City Council have the right to vote within their authority as elected officials without being targeted on the basis of their gender.” The Commission further explains, “These comments reinforce a pattern of violence against women that violates fundamental human rights and should not be tolerated within the City of Seattle or elsewhere.”
The letter concludes with a call to end gender-based threats and derogatory comments and for investigation into the threats that have occurred in order to protect the safety and human rights of Seattle City Councilmembers Bagshaw, Gonzalez, Herbold, Juarez, and Sawant.
Read full text of the letter →
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For more information:
Marcel Baugh
(404) 791-4737
marcel.baugh13@gmail.com
Margaret Bayaban
(206) 795-5358
margaret.babayan@gmail.com
Danielle Wallace
(678) 463-3390
wallace.danielle.marie@gmail.com